Terry McKenziehttps://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/feed/entries/atom2011-11-04T03:43:25+00:00Apache Rollerhttps://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/bring_out_the_dogsBring Out the Dogsterrymckenzie 2010-01-14T07:58:37+00:002010-01-14T15:58:37+00:00<html>
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Every time I turned on the news, it seemed that they were talking about the arrival of the dogs - the rescue dogs, that is, to help uncover survivors in Haiti. It brought me me back to a memorable flight I had, where I sat next to the best seatmates an animal lover could ever ask for - Dawson and his handler, Ron Wechbacker. Amazing story, amazing contribution. Who knew? <br><br>
<a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/"> Courage in Black and White, Redux. </a><br><br>
And please, if you love your Sun bloggers, continue to follow us. I don't know much longer this particular site will be up, so I ask my readers to please bookmark <a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/"> tmacwords</a>. You'll find me on Wordpress. Check your favorite Sun bloggers to see if they'll have alternate sites, too. You guys make the writing worthwhile; please follow us!<br><br><br>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/if_you_love_good_writingIf You Love Good Writingterrymckenzie 2010-01-11T11:33:59+00:002010-01-11T19:33:59+00:00<html>
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...then it's time to treat yourself to a fantastic <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Precarious-Stories-Love-Sex-Misunderstanding/dp/1935462326/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263237436&sr=1-1"> read</a> by our very own Al Riske.
<br><br><br><a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/precarious/"> Precarious</a> is out, and it's quite wonderful.<br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/marrwiage_lessons_for_the_wovewornMarrwiage - Lessons for the Wuvwornterrymckenzie 2010-01-06T14:31:31+00:002010-01-06T22:31:31+00:00<html>
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No, it's not Valentine's Day. Or my anniversary (which is April 21, in case you wanted to send a thoughtful card!). Nope, just trying to be a good parent and answer some questions for my darlin' son, Andrew. Check it out:
<br><br><br><a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/marrwiage-is-w…together-today/"> Marrwiage...Is What Keeps Us Together...Today.</a> <br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/fairy_tales_and_other_scaryFairy Tales and Other Scary Storiesterrymckenzie 2010-01-05T07:36:36+00:002010-01-05T15:36:36+00:00<html>
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Man, we parents won't stop at anything to scare our kids straight! And have been doing it for centuries, I might add - all to little avail:
<br><br><br><a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/freaky-fairy-tales/"> Freaky Fairy Tales</a> <br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/a_sad_tale_of_maritalA Sad Tale of Marital, uh, Gristterrymckenzie 2009-12-07T09:46:17+00:002009-12-07T17:46:17+00:00<html>
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It seemed like a good idea - barbecue a turkey, then clean the kitchen up to surprise my sweetie. Alas. And alas again:
<br><br><br><a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/"> And Now for Something Really Amazing!</a> <br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/oh_come_all_ye_siblingsOh Come, All Ye Siblings...terrymckenzie 2009-11-30T12:40:33+00:002009-11-30T20:40:33+00:00<html>
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Remember that old Irving Berlin song, Sisters? From White Christmas? Oh, sure you do... A few thoughts on siblings to wrap up this holiday weekend.
<br><br><br><a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/sisters-and-brothers/"> Sisters and Brothers</a> <br><br><br>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/my_mom_and_our_journeyMy Mom and Our Journey: The story continuesterrymckenzie 2009-11-23T14:23:41+00:002009-11-23T22:23:41+00:00<html>
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Thanksgiving is a time for taking stock of what life has given you, and thanking whatever higher spirit you communicate with for the goodness around you. When your mom is dying, this becomes much more difficult. A few thoughts for your Thanksgiving week...
<br><br><br><a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/it-was-the-bes…worst-of-times/"> It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worse of Times </a><br><br><br>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/my_momMy Momterrymckenzie 2009-11-19T09:37:18+00:002009-11-19T17:37:18+00:00<html>
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<a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/words-i-dont-want-to-write/">Words I Don't Want to Write</a><br><br><br><br>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/farmville_confessionsFarmville Confessionsterrymckenzie 2009-11-17T08:05:09+00:002009-11-17T16:05:09+00:00<html>
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If I had an ounce of pride, I wouldn't admit this. But I guess I don't, because (drums, please): <br><br><b> I Was A Farmville Addict.</b><br><br> Can you afford to miss this cautionary tale?? Check it out at my new blog site on Wordpress: <a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/farmer-terry-retired/">Farmer Terry, Retired!</a><br><br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/the_mark_twain_award_notThe Mark Twain Award. Not.terrymckenzie 2009-11-09T07:53:29+00:002009-11-09T15:53:29+00:00<html>
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Because I'm sure you're fascinated - nay, obsessed! - with every detail of my life, I wanted to give you an update on that book I've been promising would be out any day now. Plus, a flash back to my role as a gossip columnist. It's all here at <a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/about-that-book-i-was-writing/">About That Book I Was Writing...</a><br><br>
Come see me!<br><br>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/another_sad_dayAnother Sad Dayterrymckenzie 2009-11-04T13:48:10+00:002009-11-04T21:48:10+00:00<html>
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Saying goodbye to so many good people...<br><br>
Another very sad day for Sun: <a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com">tmacwords.wordpress.com</a>
<br><br><br>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/aw_come_on_haven_tyouAw, Come On... Haven't You Missed Me a Little? terrymckenzie 2009-11-02T06:53:44+00:002009-11-02T14:53:44+00:00<html>
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I've missed all of you! So here's a quick catch-up:<br><br>
I was totally surprised in Salt Lake City - just goes to show you have to be careful about assumptions. Check it out at <a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/who-speaks-for-god-anyhow/">Who Speaks for God, Anyhow?</a><br><br>
And this week? The ultimate mash-up: Mondrian and The Three Little Pigs: <a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/go-ahead-be-a-square/">Go Ahead - Be a Square</a><br><br>
A little irreverence, a thought or two on big bad wolves and artwork - please hop over to my new blog at <a href="http://tmacwords.wordpress.com">tmacwords.wordpress.com</a>!
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<p>&nbsp;</p>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/turn_turn_turnTurn, Turn, Turnterrymckenzie 2009-10-20T06:00:00+00:002009-10-20T13:00:00+00:00<html>
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<blockquote><br><br>To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:<br>
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;<br>
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;<br>
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<br>
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;<br>
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<br>
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;<br>
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.<br>
<em> (Ecclesiastes III (King James Version))</em></blockquote><br><br>
This is my time to change.<br><br>
While I remain a part-time employee of my beloved Sun Microsystems, I've joined <a href="http://www.fibonaccidesigngroup.com/">The Fibonacci Design Group</a>, run by two friends and associates, Greg and Sloane Mann, to fill out the rest of my week - and to fulfill a growing need to express creativity in a different way.<span style="color:#ff0000;">\*</span><br><br>
Over the past 17 years, Greg and Sloane have created a truly extraordinary little company. When they came to visit me at Sun three years ago to show me the kind of work they were doing, I was blown away. Gorgeous work. Thoughtful work. So much more than pretty pictures, their designs were insightful, interactive, engaging. I was so impressed that I hired them at Sun to work on our Great Places to Work campaign in 2007. Together we created a campaign that I remain very proud of: "I have the Best Job at Sun."<br><br>
Why join a design firm instead of hang out my own shingle? Why join a design firm instead of a more traditional communication firm? Why join a design firm instead of taking another corporate position?<br><br>
Since going part-time in February, I've had a lot of time to think about what I really want to do next. One of my early realizations was that after having the opportunity to work at Sun, I was going to find it difficult to replace that experience. I need some distance, and so it feels right to return to my consulting roots.<br><br>
Why not strike out alone? A number of reasons. First, I don't want to work 100 percent alone. I like the give and take of partnerships, the built-in opportunities to test ideas and learn from each other. Second, as I've discovered from my aborted attempts to paint using different methods, I find it very hard to break out of my comfort zone creatively. Surprisingly hard, if you know me. Working with Greg and Sloane forces me to view the world from a another perspective that I can combine with my own experience. I like that. A lot.<br><br>
Why a design firm instead of a traditional agency? Because I want to get better at my craft and I want to expand my thinking. After all, being different is not always better, but being better is always different.<br><br>
And so I'm taking a deep breath, and I'm leaping off that cliff of comfortable routine and well-known territory. As part of that, although I remain a part-time employee of Sun, this shall be my last post at blogs.sun. You can find my new posts - and my old ones - at <a href="http://www.tmacwords.wordpress.com/">tmacwords.wordpress.com</a>. Please join me! And please wish me luck.<br><br>
You can get to know <a href="http://winebytes.wordpress.com/">Greg</a> and <a href="http://think2design.wordpress.com">Sloane</a> on their blogs, plus why they decided to name their company Fibonacci (a really interesting story but theirs to tell). And you can find more information about what I'm up to at our new <a href="http://www.fibonaccidesigngroup.com">website</a>. Oh, and while my Sun email is still good, you can also reach me at terry@fibonaccidesigngroup.com.<br><br>
Sun will always hold a special place in my heart. Starting with Scott McNealy, Sun allowed me to take big risks, try new things, and build what was the finest employee communication team in the world. I don't know what the future holds with Sun and Oracle, and I hope I can have a part in the next chapter. But even if I don't, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Sun and its thousands of employees.<br><br>
That was then. This is now. See you at my new adventure!<br><br>
Terry<br><br>
<span style="color:#ff0000;">\* </span><b>Important note</b>: Sun’s Business Conduct Office blessed my partnership with Fibonacci as I am very part-time employee… <br><br><br>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/shiny_new_toy_or_revolutionShiny New Toy or Revolutionterrymckenzie 2009-10-05T14:56:48+00:002009-10-05T21:56:48+00:00<html>
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<br><br>There's been a pretty lively online discussion amongst the members of <a href="http://www.ccmconnection.com/">CCM</a> (Council of Communication Management) about social networking and social media tools. It started off with what seemed to be an innocent question from one of our members:<br><br>
<strong><span style="color:#000000;"><em>What are your key challenges when building senior management support for social media strategies?</em></span></strong><br><br>
What followed was a flood of comments, but the conversation really peaked my interest when one of the greats in our profession, Roger D'Aprix, spoke up (quoted with permission):<br><br>
<blockquote><span style="color:#339966;"><em><i>"...Why are we trying so hard to ram social media down the throats of senior leaders and get them to do something their instincts tell them is not a good idea? Where is the business case? If we can't show one and if there isn't any demonstrable ROI, don't we run the risk of further diminishing our often fragile credibility as a profession?</em></span><br><br>
<span style="color:#339966;"><em>My mother used to tell me long ago that "Just because everyone else is doing it is not a good enough reason." And in this case, even that is not yet true.</em></span><br><br>
<em><span style="color:#339966;">This will probably bring the wrath of the gods down on me, but if I were the senior decision-maker, I'd want to see a solid business case specific to my organization."</span><br><br>
</em></blockquote></i>
As usual, Roger pushed the group to make sure we were considering the right question.<br><br>
There are surely many tactical issues to be considering when introducing social media to the "higher ups," and many tactical pitfalls when encouraging its use. But as Roger points out, if you don't know what problem you're trying to solve, the tactical issues are pretty irrelevant. Because no CEO worth his or her salt is going to approve an approach that is in search of a problem rather than the other way around.<br><br>
So how do you determine the problem? Funny you should ask.<br><br>
When I first came to Sun, I used my past experience to develop and articulate a way to develop true communication strategy. The tool, named the KAA Model (Knowledge, Attitude, Action) is an almost painfully simple way to keep the communication professional leading the discussion, not following. In its simplest form, you need to ask yourself a series of questions that will help you identify the gap between current state and desire future state. This is done <em>before</em> tools are selected.<br><br>
Because while social networking is a revolutionary way to create different online behavior and true participation and exchange, you still need to know where you're going and how you'll know if you get there.<br><br>
Look before you leap. Think before you recommend. Good mantras (trite because they're TRUE) to keep in mind regardless of how shiny the new toy is and how tempting it is to use...<br><br><br>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/marshmallows_and_health_careMarshmallows and Short-Term Thinkingterrymckenzie 2009-09-29T08:00:00+00:002009-09-29T15:00:00+00:00<html>
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<br><br>In the 1960's, Walter Mischel created the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/18/marshmallow-test-video-a_n_291086.html">Marshmallow Trials</a> as a way to test the ability of children to delay gratification. It was a simple test. Could a young child wait a few minutes alone with a treat and resist eating it, in return for getting a second treat later on? (You can watch a recreation of that experiment on YouTube by pasting the following URL into your browser window: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amsqeYOk--w).
Mischel then did follow up studies to see if those children who could resist eating the marshmallow immediately would translate that willpower into more success in life than those who couldn't.<br><br>
(<b>True confession:</b> Had I been in that study, I would have eaten that marshmallow within seconds of the adult leaving the room. I would have jammed it into my mouth without a second thought.)<br><br>
<a href="http://blogs.sun.com/tmac/resource/Marshmallow.jpg">
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Those who were children in the early 1960's are now, of course, adults charged with the responsibility of running businesses and the country. And judging by the fix this country is in, I'm not the only one who struggles with not eating the marshmallow immediately. We seem to be a society struggling with delayed gratification. Pay now for a reward later? Uh uh. We don't really like to do that. And marshmallow eater that I am, I totally sympathize.<br><br>
But I think we have to get over it. Including me... After all, we're not five-year olds being asked to hold off on a treat. We're adults responsible for our society, including the health, safety, education, and welfare of our fellow citizens. We must pay now to get services later. It's the way it works. And that means - yes, the dreaded "T" word: taxes. <br><br>
Speaking of... do you remember when California had a tax surplus some years back and there was a big ruckus about whether or not the state should return it. The checks would amount to something under $100 per household. I remember one particularly emotional letter to the Los Angeles Times in which the writer commented that while that money might not mean much to some people, it would pay for a nice dinner out for her and her husband. Eat the marshmallow now. Don't wait until later.<br><br>
I hate paying taxes. And I pay a ton of them. But I support tax increases that protect my health and welfare. Like education. And health care. And the fire department. And the police. And the park system. We need to stop kidding ourselves that there is all this waste in the system that, if eliminated, would pay for everything. That's magical thinking, and it does not work.
So could we, the voting population, and our politicians please put the rhetoric, emotion and slogans away so we can actually get something done? I want reformed health care. Because I don't want to catch your disease. I want great education. Because I want informed, intelligent people running our companies and our country. I want firefighters to save my home. I want roads that aren't falling apart. I don't want to have to say a prayer before driving over a bridge.<br><br>
We're not children anymore. Time to not eat that marshmallow and go for a longer term reward. Please?<br><br><br>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/save_bambiSave Bambi!terrymckenzie 2009-09-22T10:43:25+00:002009-09-22T17:43:25+00:00<html>
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I hate nature programs. As soon as the swelling music comes up and the camera sweeps in to capture the image of something beautiful, I’m racing for the remote control.<br><br>
Call it the “Bambi Syndrome” if you like. But I know that the show will sucker me into caring about some animal, insect, flower or landscape, only to crush me later. Oh look, let’s watch the cute, fluffy, baby polar bears learn to swim with Mommy. Oh look, let’s watch the cute, fluffy, baby polar bear get eaten by the big, mean predator. Now let’s watch Mommy Bear try to rescue her cub and get killed in the process. Oh man, is there an orphanage for motherless polar bear cubs?<br><br>
OK, I can actually deal with those programs reasonably well. That’s the food chain and just how it works. But I was reminded of what I really hate by my sweet husband this morning over coffee. “Hey, Terry. Did you know that grizzly bears in Yellowstone are dying off due to global warming? Turns out the nuts they like to eat can’t germinate in the heat,” Scott told me casually as he leafed through the Los Angeles Times.<br><br>
No, I didn’t know that. And I didn’t want to know that. It just makes me feel badly without being able to do anything about it. Yes, I know that grizzly bears, polar bears, reindeer, and hundreds of others species are pretty much doomed. Even the bees are threatened (although remarkably enough, cockroaches, silverfish and the ants who take positive glee in swarming in my house seem to be well set to flourish on our hot planet). I don’t want to talk about it.<br><br>
Which is a shame, because I know from quick peeks at the television that nature shows feature spectacular photography. But can’t the shows just have a warning – kind of like a spoiler alert – that goes on the air right before the big bummer message is delivered? Something like this would really help: “Be warned. The cuddly animals to which you have, with our help, assigned all kinds of anthropomorphic attributes, are doomed due to mankind’s idiocy and selfishness. We’re about to detail that, so now might be a good time to go make yourself a sandwich and stop watching this program.” We more sensitive types would be spared the doom and gloom, and I could stop imagining the director saying, “That’s a wrap” just as the cameraman accidentally squishes the last female of the species.<br><br>
Well, fine. It’s just a thought….<br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/picasso_was_no_pretenderPicasso Was No Pretenderterrymckenzie 2009-09-13T09:08:16+00:002009-09-13T16:08:16+00:00<html>
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I have this dream which is not, I've been told, all that unique. I'm at home, and I go through a door to discover an entirely new wing that I forgot about. As I explore the new space, I'm stunned at how fabulous it is, and can't understand how I could have let this slip. Stairways lead to new wings; doors open up to spacious bedrooms with sitting rooms; a wonderful kitchen unfolds before me.<br><br>
I'm always a little bummed to wake up and find that it was just a dream.<br><br>
On Friday this past week, I returned to New York's Museum of Modern Art. Every floor we went to held new treasures. Every passageway led to something amazing. Look! Another incredible Picasso! Over there! Klimt! Holy smokes, look at all the Jackson Pollacks! Special this week - Monet's Water Lilies! Treasure after treasure after treasure...<br> <br>
I was struck by the nature of creativity and transformation - how a single artist, such as Pablo Picasso, can break through everything he was taught to leap to breathtaking innovation. And then he does it again and again. Even as an old man, Picasso didn't repeat himself. Rather, he set the bar; then others followed, interpreting the world through their own eyes but perhaps colored by what Picasso saw. <br><br>
I remember as a child thinking that anyone could do what Picasso did - big deal! Just forget all the rules and throw a bunch of color and shapes onto a canvas. Wiser now, I know that Picasso was, in fact, a classically trained artist, and his craftsmanship was impeccable. He could paint gorgeous representational canvasses, and he used his knowledge to springboard on to new directions. Which is why his more abstract works are so striking and speak to the heart as well as the mind. Nothing random here - thoughts, emotions, visuals, skill combined to create something extraordinary...<br><br>
Know the basics. No, really <i><b>know</i></b> the basics. Be free enough and confident enough to break the rules and be willing to fail, be laughed at, be misunderstood. Go back and try again.<br><br>
I wish MOMA was in my backyard so when I forgot these lessons, I could take a quick walk through the walls of one of the best museums on earth. Meanwhile, I'll have to settle for my memories.<br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/when_the_news_fails_usWhen the News Fails Usterrymckenzie 2009-08-31T07:49:48+00:002009-08-31T14:49:48+00:00<html>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif;"><br><br>For the past week, I’ve been in Northern Minnesota in a fairly remote wilderness area, staying with friends in their summer cabin. My mobile didn’t work, and I couldn’t get email to save my life. But I could get to Facebook. And thanks to that, we were able to take decisive steps during the wildfires that threatened our La Cañada home.<br><br>
The first hint that something was amiss came on Wednesday, when I saw an update from one of my more casual Facebook friends commenting on smoky conditions. I instantly tensed up – when your house is 100 yards from the National Forest, fire is a constant concern.<br><br>
I started to surf for news, but found pitifully little. Apparently the 2,000 homes under wildfire assault in a northern suburb of Los Angeles wasn’t of sufficient interest for newspapers to cover. If only Lindsey Lohan lived in my neighborhood…<br><br>
I can’t begin to describe how frustrating it was to search for updated information. There simply was very, very little. Oh sure, today the story has finally become a priority for our pathetic downsized newspapers – the fire has killed two firefighters, destroyed 18 structures and swept over 42,000 acres, with no control in sight. But last week, when our home was in a mandatory evacuation area? Ha – good luck getting an update.<br><br>
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<b>One hundred yards from our house (photo courtesy of Washington Post)</b><br><br>
Thank goodness for social media. I starting messaging other folks in my Facebook network, and quickly learned what was happening. From there, I was able to connect with our friends and the house sitter who evacuated the pets and a few valuables from the house. With our fur family safe, I was able to take a more detached view of the situation.<br><br>
Look, no one wants to lose their house. And I was kicking myself for not having a few other items taken out when I had the opportunity. But given that I was almost 2,000 miles away, I was just so grateful not to have to worry about the Boo and the cats that the rest seemed inconsequential. <br><br>
Up until our return last night, we monitored what was going on, largely via Facebook. The online news continued to be of limited help, but we could count on our local friends and bloggers to keep us in the know via updates. And as the fire spread, impacting more of our friends, we not only know what is going on but we could offer our support and prayers to them, as they did for us.<br><br>
The mainstream media failed us. But we found Facebook to be an e-community that is truly a neighborhood, offering information, support and friendship.<br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/everything_old_is_new_againEverything Old is New Againterrymckenzie 2009-08-17T09:02:55+00:002009-08-17T16:02:55+00:00<html>
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Remember finger-painting? The glory of using your hands and that wet, gooey paint to smudge all over a piece of paper. The streaks of bright blue paint on your cheek you’d bring home from school. The way the soap turned orange when the paint under your nails came out as you washed up. <br><br>
I can still remember how the wet paint smelled. And how at the end of kindergarten I’d be pretty well covered in paint and glue and little pieces of construction paper stuck to my shoes. <br><br>
Then I learned to draw. And I learned about composition, and the color wheel. I was taught how to use perspective to bring depth to my work, and how to use shadows to create a lifelike feeling. I was pretty good at some point in my life. But as time went on, I drifted away from drawing and painting. The price I paid was a big decline in my eye to canvas translation. I couldn’t capture images as well as I used to, and so the joy of painting disappeared for me.<br><br>
Over the last couple of years, I’ve tried very hard to break out of my compulsive need to draw accurately. I wanted to see what I could do just with colors and design. Alas, old habits die hard. I’d get frustrated and I let the perfect become the enemy of the good.<br><br>
Until last Friday, when my old friend and colleague Gay Groomes invited me to her foothill home to try monoprinting. Monoprinting, which I knew nothing about, consists of inking or painting a panel of glass, and then running the plate, covered by paper, through a hand-cranked press. The color transfers to the paper, but the pressure of the press and the different consistencies mean that your images don’t show up exactly as you intended. Then you can take the glass plate and add color, textures, shapes, and rerun the print through the press again. Sometimes the results are wonderful. Often the results are just plain dreadful.<br><br>
But to me it was freeing. It released me from my obsession with perfection and brought back the playfulness that I’ve missed so much.<br><br>
In three hours I completed three plates and left one with more work to do. My first effort was surprisingly good – until I ran the print through the press once more to add to the print, and ended up destroying it. My second effort was hilarious. It looked like part of a tie-dye t-shirt. (I must have been channeling Woodstock!)<br><br>
I felt a little better about the next print and really had fun with the last: <br><br>
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While these efforts are amateurish and nothing I'm particularly proud of, I can feel good about how much I learned – that staying in the same environment means creating the same results. That is, by giving myself a sketch pad, a set of oils and a canvas I was making it too easy to stay in my comfort zone and too hard to try something very, very different. By throwing myself into a completely new experience, I discovered new ways to create, freed myself from perfection, and had a wonderful time.<br><br>
And of course, I got to go home with streaks of blue paint on my cheek and orange paint under my nails. Glory be!<br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/a_golden_weekA Golden Weekterrymckenzie 2009-08-10T08:00:00+00:002009-08-10T15:00:00+00:00<html>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif;"><br><br><br>We’ve been up at our cabin the past week, with a couple more days of laziness to go. Our little place was pretty packed with people and dogs – nine humans and three large dogs, plus our neighbor’s golden who didn’t want to be left out of the fun. The weather overall was glorious, so most of us were outside all day and all evening. (You can click on these to make them bigger.)<br><br><br>
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Life at the cabin involves a lot of food and wine, junk food and Flathead cherries. Waterskiing, boating, canoeing, swimming, reading, and throwing the ball (endlessly) for the dogs fill the days. Bonfires, wine and long conversation fill the nights.
It was a week for family. It was wonderful just to be with our son, Andrew. Although we do a reasonable job of staying in touch via phone and Facebook, nothing beats time together. Marked by the required silly photo:<br><br>
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We also had the opportunity to meet Andrew’s boyfriend, Charlie, and get to know him a bit. <br><br>
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My sister, brother-in-law, nephew and niece were part of our gathering. Amy brought her fiancé, Christie, along, giving us all a chance to get to know the lovely woman who will soon be joining our family officially. Amy and Christie brought their golden, Bowser, and their golden doodle, Sake, both of whom were obsessed with jumping in the lake to chase balls.<br><br>
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And as expected, the dogs located a fragrant dead fish and had a good roll in it. And then were very sad when we humans let out a huge, “Ehhhh!” and they found themselves getting scrubbed down with vinegar and peroxide. But they recovered well enough to be bribed with turkey and have their picture taken at Camp McKenzie: <br><br>
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But of course the Boo ruled the camp:
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Returning to reality will be tough! Especially for those dogs, who got very used to total freedom, romping in the wild and rolling in the fish!<br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/yo_no_hablo_espanol_goodYo no hablo espanol goodterrymckenzie 2009-07-27T11:41:34+00:002009-07-27T18:41:34+00:00<html>
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“The blue bowl broke.”<br><br>
I still remember how irritated I was when I came home from work and found my housekeeper’s note next to the remaining shards of my favorite casserole. “Who are you kidding,” I muttered to myself, tossing bits and pieces of blue ceramic into the trash. “Yeah, the blue bowl broke. All by itself. It must have grown little legs and in a suicidal moment, thrown itself off the counter.”<br><br>
I was still ranting and raving (these were in my pre-Paxil, unmedicated days) when Scott got home. “What's wrong with you? Why are you making such a big deal out of a $40 piece of cookware, “ he asked me. A good question, I had to admit. And when I got down to it, my temper tantrum really had little to do with the dish (although in my own defense I must point out that it was the casserole I bought to replaced its deceased twin which met a similar fate a few months ago). In the end, it wasn’t the dish - it was the note. The note in which, as I saw it, our housekeeper took no responsibility for the act. “The blue bowl broke.” <br><br>
Scott proved once again that he is both wiser and more compassionate than I. He reminded me that our housekeeper was from El Salvador, and her note was not avoiding responsibility – it was simply a translation from the Spanish way of explaining what happened. In this case, it was the bowl that broke, not her.
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Oh fine. That’s what speaking another language will do for you, I grumbled to myself. Prove me wrong in both English and Spanish…<br><br>
Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when Scott saved an article for me out of Scientific American about language. He gleefully pointed out that the article used an almost identical example to illustrate how grammar and culture shape communication.<br><br>
This confirms for me that people who speak more than one language have a real advantage in life – not just in getting around the globe but in thinking through problems and understanding others’ perspectives. Carolyn and Juan Carlos are raising Lucas to be bilingual, that lucky baby. JC speaks only Spanish to him, and Carolyn speaks only English to him. That way the baby will learn to speak with correct accents in both languages. (Although heaven knows how growing up in England will play all this – Spanish with a British accent? Brilliant!)<br><br>
Words are the heart of how we relate to each other, and I’m quite grateful that I’ll be able to communicate with my grandson in English (American with a slight Midwest twang). Because heaven knows I’ve already insulted enough people with my poor Spanish. <br><br>
So in a rather clumsy segue weakly linked with words and their reflection on the communicator and audience, I'm doing some name changes. Because words, rather than my company, are what I’m identifying with these days, I’ve changed my twitter name from tmacatsun to tmacwords. And I’m going to be moving to a new blog on Wordpress called tmacwords. Stay tuned for the URL once I get it up and going (and a thank you to all of you bloggers who have been offering advice on how to transfer our blogs from Sun to a new site).<br><br>
Until then, continue to tune in here for McKenzie adventures, warped insights and editorial comments. But no Spanish. If we're both lucky.<br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/terry_through_the_looking_glassTerry Through the Looking Glassterrymckenzie 2009-07-20T14:32:14+00:002009-07-20T21:32:14+00:00<html>
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I lived a dual life the past two weeks. Part-time Sun employee, as I have been since February 1, and part-time communication consultant.<br><br>
I feel so darned good about it, because I actually <i>did</i> something instead of just talked about it. And I feel as though I’m breaking out of the uncertainty that acquisitions bring to the life of the soon-to-be-acquired and took back control of my life. For someone blessed (or cursed, depending on your perspective) with the eye of the tiger and a strong streak of determination, this first step from what was to what will be felt like coming home to a very good place.<br><br>
Which is why I posted this photograph on my profile picture in Facebook:<br><br>
<a href="http://blogs.sun.com/tmac/resource/Alicesmall.jpg">
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This rather lovely sculpture can be found right outside the grounds of Guildford Castle in Surrey. Lewis Carroll spent many years in Guildford, and local folklore has him writing <b><i> Alice Through the Looking Glass</b></i> while in residence at the house that stands behind the sculpture garden.<br><br>
This sculpture captures where many of us are today, I think. Part of us in one world, part of us in the next, frozen at a moment in time. Not knowing if we’ll have a job with the new administration, or if we’d want one. <br><br>
In retrospect, my going part-time last winter, with the agreement that I could pursue other consulting jobs during my non-Sun time, was such a blessing. It gave me time to spend with my daughter and new grandson. It gave me time to spend with my Mom, who is not doing so well. It gave me time to campaign for gay marriage and help support my son. And it gave me time to think about what I want do next in life.<br><br>
In the past two years, I’ve turned down four jobs at four different companies. The jobs were amazing, the companies top notch, and each time I thought that this was it, this was the magic position for me. And each time, I got cold feet. Now a brighter person might have figured out by offer #2 that there was just something unappealing about devoting her life to another company full-time. But I was a little slow on the uptake. But with almost six months of relief from constant stress and long work schedules, I was able to get some clarity around what I do want. And it is not taking another corporate job.<br><br>
I was in love with the old Sun. This company was the only place I wanted to work. My work was appreciated, I was valued, my team was fabulous, my boss was fun, and the challenges were varied and exciting (if sometimes a little overwhelming). I believed in our company passionately, and felt as though I was part of something important. I had the opportunity to work closely with our co-founder, Scott McNealy. It was a dream gig.<br><br>
I don’t believe I will find all those pieces again in one place. And I don’t think I want to try. So I’m going back to my roots – consulting. I hope I can keep my current job with Sun, and I would find it fascinating if Oracle would take me on the same terms. But if not? Well, I’m ready to step all the way through that looking glass and explore the world on the other side.<br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/10_000_hours10,000 Hoursterrymckenzie 2009-07-15T08:00:00+00:002009-07-15T15:00:00+00:00<html>
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According to Malcolm Gladwell in his recent book, <u><b>Outlier</u></b>, 10,000 hours of practice is what it takes to become really good at something. Or at least to be considered experienced.<br><br>
Hmmm. Persistence, it seems, pays. So as I sat aboard a long Air Canada flight this week, I was inspired to put together my own list of things that I quit before reaching the state of experienced expertise. <br><br>
<b>Waterskiing</b>. As a young woman, I tried doing this sport a lot. I was dragged through the water in Sarasota, Florida, drinking more salt water than I really wanted. I was dragged through the water at Georgetown Lake in Montana, freezing my butt off. I was dragged through the water at Flathead Lake in Montana, embarrassing myself in front of my more athletic in-laws. One day I had a revelation: I don’t <i>have</i> to do this. No one was holding a gun to my head. (Unless you count hours of harassment by my spouse’s family.) Nope, didn’t get in my 10,000 hours there. On the other hand, I stopped drinking gallons of unfiltered lake water, likely avoiding a parasite infestation. Perhaps.<br><br>
<b>Skiing</b>. Is there a pattern here? Something to do with strapping long boards onto your feet? I think snow skiing is even scarier than waterskiing because I find water friendly (I’m a good swimmer) but consider ice-covered steep mountain slopes terrifying. However, as a new bride married to a Montana boy, I was a good sport and tried ever so hard to learn to how to slalom down those hills. A couple of problems. First, the ski lift. While I was pretty good at the rope tow (hey, my cat would be good at the rope tow – no talent or practice required there – just stick your claws in and hang on), the lifts always struck fear in my heart. Yes, I could get on. No, I didn’t fall off. But exiting? Do you know you’re supposed to jump gracefully from the ski lift at the top of the mountain and <i>ski <b>without poles</i></b> to the landing area? Are you joking?? I fell more often than not. But I was still game until the day I was heading downhill and found myself going too fast and unable to stop. I crashed into a group of hapless skiers at the bottom of the hill. No one was injured. And it being Montana rather than California, no one sued me. But I was done. I might have gotten 100 hours of skiing in but I couldn’t risk anyone else’s life by going for my 10,000.<br><br>
<b>PTA parent</b>. Before I made the wise decision to go back to work and practice my wit with those better equipped at handling my biting edge, I spent a number of years as a stay-at-home mom (something my children have NO memory of. Not that I’m bitter). I tried so hard to fit in with the other moms. I went to PTA (Parent Teacher Association) meetings like a good parent. I tried to be attentive. I volunteered. I donated time and money. But I found so many parents ridiculously over-focused on whether or not their little first grade genius (90 percent of parents believe their child is above average) would get into Harvard or Stanford that I just couldn’t take it. The turning point for me was when our district was opening up a new elementary school that our kids were slated to attend, and one mother hysterically proclaimed that she heard ALL the good books were staying in the original elementary school’s library and we would get NOTHING. An extremely sarcastic (I know, there’s a shocker) response almost escaped my lips. In a rare moment of self-control, I managed to keep my trap shut but I was so outta there. Another place where I wouldn’t make 10,000 hours. Or even close.<br><br>
On the other hand, I realized, busily typing in a cramped economy seat, I have spent well over 10,000 hours flying for business. And I want to say that I am <i>extremely</i> good at this. I don’t freak out in turbulence – rather, it rocks me to sleep. I get along with even the surliest flight crews. I check my seat assignment in advance to make sure I won’t be stuck next to the bathroom (that is living hell to me on a long flight). I get to the airport early enough so I don’t generally miss flights. And I bring my own food so I don’t have to worry or care about what yellow or brown meal the airline will be providing me (at $6 meal). I try really hard not to be a diva and to be keep my sense of humor (I don't always succeed but I keep working on it - may need another 10,000 hours to achieve perfection here). Overall, experience really does count in helping me get through airports and flights without meltdowns, temper tantrums and blood-pressure busting stress. Persistence. Perhaps it's time to take up skiing again. Or maybe we should just leave well enough alone...<br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/michael_and_meMichael and Meterrymckenzie 2009-07-09T14:45:10+00:002009-07-09T21:45:10+00:00<html>
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As I was out walking the Boo this morning, I had the video reel of Michael Jackson’s last dress rehearsal playing over and over in my head. Which was really irritating because the first time I saw it, I knew I’d be very tired of it before long.<br><br>
Now before you jump all over me telling me what a genius MJ was and what a loss to the world he is, let me hastily admit that I was a huge fan during the 80’s. I owned and played his music on occasion for years.<br><br>
Do I believe he was disturbed, troubled and had engaged in highly questionable behavior? Yes, I do. I think that truth was carved on his face and in his public persona over the past ten years. None of which takes away from what was, and all of which contributes to the tragedy of what could have been.<br><br>
So getting back to the video. Once I got over being annoyed that it was still playing in my head, I stepped back and realized that I was “watching” a 50 year-old fragile has-been reinventing himself. And that reinvention required physical strength, creativity and a large dose of courage. He wasn’t taking the easier route of his pop star brethren by doing a greatest hits of the 80s tour – which would have easily sold out. He was trying out new material, new staging, new ideas.<br><br>
And for that I have to give him his due. Because reinvention is hard, especially as you get older. And harder when you’ve been on the wrong side of press clippings for years. And perhaps hardest of all when you have very high standards for your professional performance.<br><br>
This struck home with me because I spent two days this week doing some pro bono communication consulting and group facilitation work for a friend – and it was hard! Fun, wonderful, energizing and exciting. But hard, hard work. And with a lot lying in the balance as I likely will be phased out of Sun completely and dropped into my next life.<br><br>
As I’m not (or at least hope I’m not!) disturbed, troubled and engaged in questionable behavior, and I’m just little old me, not anyone famous, reinvention isn’t quite as a visible a task for me as for a Michael Jackson. But kid yourself not – reshaping your life is risky and hard work.<br><br>
Let the joy be in the journey.<br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/mommy_brainMommy Brainterrymckenzie 2009-06-24T07:45:53+00:002009-06-24T14:45:53+00:00<html>
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I have new mommy brain – and I’m not even the mommy, I’m the grandmother. I can’t focus, I find myself staring into space, I jump when I hear the baby make a sound. A fly buzzing across the room can occupy me for mindless minutes. In fact, finding the energy to sit down and write this post has required Herculean strength. Sleep deprivation will do that to you…<br><br>
This is week three in London for me, helping Carolyn and Lucas out while Juan Carlos is in Asia on business. It’s been a wonderful time for me – and I hope for Carolyn, too, bonding over this child together. <br><br>
But it does remind me that there’s a reason women go through menopause – this is work for the young, not the old. And I’ve already lost enough brain cells to martinis and age without sleep deprivation yanking away a few more.<br><br>
True confessions. Compounding mommy brain is Bejeweled Blitz addiction. This is a really stupid game on Facebook that I have become obsessed with – and it’s not a pretty sight. It was bad enough when I was hooked on Scramble or Pathwords – I could at least pretend that I was sort of using my brain. But Bejeweled Blitz truly has no redeeming intellectual properties. I’m a monkey staring at the screen, desperately trying to beat my last score in the 60-second play window. NOT a good use of time. And I suspect it’s giving me carpal tunnel syndrome, to boot…. I find it utterly irresistible.<br><br>
I am trying to redeem myself by reading about English history and visiting the big historic spots while I’m here – Windsor Castle (fabulous), Stonehenge ( we managed to miss the huge crowds on the day of summer solstice – thank God), Hampton Court….But even so… I don’t feel like the sharpest knife in the drawer these days, because my edge is a bit dulled.<br><br>
Next week, I return at last to Los Angeles. I can’t wait to see Scott, hug the Boo, catch up with friends and colleagues and sleep in my own bed. But I have to tell you, this I’m going to miss a ton: <br><br>
<a href="http://blogs.sun.com/tmac/resource/CarolynWindsorsmall.jpg">
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<img border="2" alt="Lucas" src="http://blogs.sun.com/tmac/resource/Terrybabysmall.jpg" target="tmac" style="width: 400px; height: 290px;"></a> <br><br>https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/gifts1Giftsterrymckenzie 2009-06-15T08:00:00+00:002009-06-15T15:00:03+00:00<html>
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When I was in Cleveland last week, my mom gave me her gold cuff bracelet. For a bracelet that is easily 50 years old, its elegant clean lines make it as contemporary a piece as you could hope to find in the stores today. But it’s the bracelet’s lineage that makes it precious to me.<br><br>
First and foremost, I watched my mom wear this bracelet as I was growing up. It’s not so fancy that it can only go to grand occasions – rather, its classic lines made it appropriate for dinner out, bridge with the girls, and our school functions. And she wore it to all of those plus more.<br><br>
Second, my grandparents gave it to her as a gift when she was a young woman. My grandfather had an eye for beautiful things and I see his hand in selecting this particular piece.<br><br>
Third, the bracelet is not perfect. Although my mom tried to get the bracelet repaired, there’s no hiding the tooth marks of a certain poorly behaved miniature schnauzer who shared our home for 15 years – and who had a penchant for getting in trouble. Big trouble.<br><br>
Finally, my mom gave it to me because she can no longer wear it. Her illness has cost her a lot of weight, and the bracelet just hangs on her thin wrist. She passed it onto me so that I could enjoy it next. <br><br>
Mother, grandparents, childhood dog – this bracelet is irreplaceable because of all the memories it contains. <br><br>
My family is in a period of great transition these days. The joy of our first grandchild, the sadness of my mom’s cancer returning, and Thursday night, the passing of my husband’s mother. I’m in the UK now, and I find spending this time with my daughter and grandson to be a great comfort.
<br><br>I’m more aware than ever of the importance of building memories, of making deep connections. As I rose at 5:30 this morning to pick up a restless Lucas so his mom could grab some sleep, I thought how fortunate I am to have this opportunity. Watching him kick his little legs, changing his diaper, cuddling him close to my chest and rocking him back to sleep – these are memories I’ll always have.<br><br>
Before I left for London, Scott and I were enjoying our Sunday afternoon ritual of doing the crossword puzzle in the hot tub, having a glass of wine and just getting caught up with each other. I mused out loud about how painful it was for us both to be losing our mothers, and Scott quietly reminded me that this is how the circle of life works – the old pass on so that the Lucas’s have a place in this world and in our hearts.<br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/transitionsTransitionsterrymckenzie 2009-06-08T08:50:35+00:002009-06-08T15:50:35+00:00<html>
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Life moving fast enough for you these days? Enough news to keep you going? I feel as though I’ve been riding in a blender set on “puree”… I’m ecstatic! I’m deeply sad… I’m excited! I’m nervous and depressed…<br><br>
Good heavens. One thing I’m not is bored. <br><br>
One of the oddities of this time is the same for me as for many of my colleagues – will I be offered a job should the Oracle acquisition close as planned? As a corporate resources type, I doubt that I will be, but one never knows. So aside from doing my day job as usual (to whatever extent that is possible), how do I think about the future? And how do I plan for it?<br><br>
I’m not alone.<br><br>
I’ve been spending a lot of time these days reviewing resumes for friends and colleagues. I’ve also been contacting all my old headhunter buddies, seeing what’s going on out there. Been writing a ton of references on LinkedIn. Putting people in contact with each other. Practicing interviews with colleagues, playing the hiring manager. Urging colleagues to submit articles to our professional communication journals; volunteer to give speeches. Get their names out there. <br><br>
One thing I’m so grateful for is that we got involved with social media over two years ago. For many folks on my former team, this will be a lifesaver when it comes to landing another job. When we got started, we knew this work was critical for Sun - and for our own careers – we just didn’t figure the self-interest piece would come into play so soon. So although my CEO and I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye on communication, I give full credit and gratitude to Jonathan for his insistence that we take a leading role in social networking.<br><br>
The future is here, sooner than expected. Take a deep breath and go for it full speed. <br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/mothers_and_daughtersMothers and Daughtersterrymckenzie 2009-05-28T15:48:39+00:002009-05-28T22:48:39+00:00<html>
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My mom had a good year. When she was initially diagnosed in March of 2008 with metastatic breast cancer, we wouldn’t have dared to hope for the 12 months of relative good health she enjoyed following her radiation treatment. In fact, my sister and I had gotten a bit blasé about it – yeah, yeah, yeah, mom’s doing great. How are the kids?<br><br>
So it was a shock to get the call on Thursday – her cancer is back, and with a vengeance, it appears. Her lymph nodes are now invaded, and her right arm is essentially crippled with pain from the tumor pressing on a nerve. Our good year, it seems, is over.<br><br>
She’s going through a zillion tests – multiple MRIs, X-rays, scans. I’m flying to Cleveland next week so I can be with her and my sister when the oncologist interprets the results for us and gives us options for moving forward.<br><br>
You, of course, don’t know my mom. So let me tell you a little bit about her. She was a depression baby – didn’t get to go to college because she needed to work and contribute to her family’s income. The lack of a college degree, though, is absolutely no indication of how bright and capable my mom is. A killer Scrabble and bridge player, she combines raw intelligence with common sense, a lively personality and sharp humor. I like to think I got her common sense and humor genes. Unfortunately, her social skills and ability to attract and keep large numbers of friends seems to have skipped me – and gone directly to our son, who shares his grandmother’s charm. <br><br>
My mom is … such a mom. She knew her diagnosis a month ago, but chose not to tell us or anyone else until after Carolyn had the baby. She didn’t want to ruin the joy of that moment for us with bad news. So she held onto the secret and dealt with it alone. I can barely even write about this without tearing up.<br><br>
I don’t know what’s going to happen. A year ago, I didn’t think she had a chance of making it for this long. But I also know that she lives life on her terms, and she could well surprise us again. So I send up a quiet little prayer asking that her pain can be managed and she maintains the quality of life that is so important to her. <br><br>
Because she’s my mom. And I love her. <br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/yeah_i_know_but_iYeah, I Know.. But I Still Love LAterrymckenzie 2009-05-19T15:51:24+00:002009-05-19T22:51:24+00:00<html>
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A not-uncommon conversation, when heading to Los Angeles on a flight, goes something like this:<br><br>
(Passenger 1) “So, where are you from?”<br>
(Victim, uh, Passenger 2 – me) “Los Angeles.”<br>
(Passenger 1) “Oh, that’s too bad. It’s such a terrible city. The smog, the traffic, the crime…”<br>
(My outside voice) “Hmmm.”
<i>(My inside voice) “Gee, buddy. What Shangri La do you live in that’s so fabulous? Please just stay there….”</i><br>
(Passenger 1) “No, seriously. How do you stand it? What an awful place to live.”<br>
(My outside voice) “Guess it’s not for everyone.”
<i>(My inside voice) “May a plague of 1 million grasshoppers be feasting on your luggage as we speak…”</i><br><br>
So why is that perfect strangers seem to feel that it’s fine to knock your hometown? I just don’t get it – to me, it’s the height of rudeness. I fervently pray that they will go away and never visit my city again – rude people are not needed here.<br><br>
I’m going to share with you just a few FABULOUS things about Los Angeles. And if you don’t agree, no problem. Just don’t come here to live and then complain.<br><br>
<b>December through May:</b> The weather. It’s sunny, cool and glorious. Our rainstorms are very well behaved – they come at night and clear out the next day, leaving the skies dazzling bright. <br><br>
<b>Disney Center, Dorothy Chandler Music Center, Pasadena Playhouse, Groundlings Theater…:</b> Boredom only comes when you have no imagination. There is so much entertainment in this town that it’s crazy. And as my son will point out to you, there’s a huge club nightlife here, where you can go to a little hole-in-the-wall bar and catch a performance of the <b> Hold Steady</b>, only to find out later that they’ve been named best band of the year by NPR’s “All Songs Considered.”<br><br>
<b>People leave you alone:</b> No, seriously. No one cares about your personal business. Jewish married to a Catholic? No one cares. Asian married to a Latino? Your business. Gay or straight? Don’t care. My husband comes from a small town and he constantly exclaims over how wonderful this is. Oh stop - I can hear tongues clucking. If you want that small sense of community and invite it into your life, you can be talked about if you like. After all, what would the starlet magazine business do without gossip?<br><br>
<b>The Art Scene:</b> By the ton. For example, Saturday night we were invited to the Folly Bowl in Altadena. This is held in a private home where the artist owners carved an amphitheater into their hillside and created an intimate place for musicians to play. We sat there, with perhaps 80 other people, sipping our wine and eating our picnic dinner, while listening to great jazz up close and personal. For $10 each. As for galleries and art studios, don't get me started... so many that you could spend all your time wandering from one to the next...<br><br>
As I think about it, I’m going to adjust my airplane conversation as such:<br><br>
(Passenger 1) “So, where are you from?”<br>
(Victim, uh, Passenger 2 – me) “Los Angeles.”<br>
(Passenger 1) “Oh, that’s too bad. It’s such a terrible city. The smog, the traffic, the crime…”<br>
(My outside voice) “Are you kidding? You don’t know the half of it! Mudslides! Earthquakes! No public transportation! Social unrest! Horrible people! Believe me, you DON’T want to live here!”
<i>(My inside voice): “Now go away and leave Los Angeles to those who can appreciate it!”</i><br><br><br>
https://blogs.oracle.com/tmac/entry/my_favorite_booksMy Favorite Booksterrymckenzie 2009-05-15T10:44:10+00:002009-05-15T17:44:10+00:00<html>
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I’ve done more reading in the past four months that I’ve done in the past four years. This is thanks to a combination of factors, largely my part-time status and my Kindle, which makes reading a true pleasure and provides endless material without the burden of carrying heavy books around.<br><br>
I’ve read about politics, world affairs, and science. I’ve consumed memoirs, novels, short story collections, works of nonfiction. The good books I relish and hate to finish; the poorly written ones are abandoned with little regret.<br><br>
So as we in the northern hemisphere move into summer, I want to make a deal – I’ll share my best reads with you if you share your best reads with me! And I’ll tell you at the start that I’ve been having problems with links on this blog site so I apologize for not being able to link you directly to more information on the books. Suffice it to say you can find them all at amazon.com (or amazon.com/kindle if you want them electronically).<br><br>
I just finished<b> The Lost City of Z, A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon </b>(David Grann). This well-written book traces explorers in South America, focusing on Colonel Fawcett’s adventures in the early 20th century. Like the very best writing does, it takes you to a different world. In fact, The Lost City of Z does more than that – it takes you to Victorian England to learn about the Royal Geographic Society, dedicating to filling in “blank spots on the map.” It takes you to Brazil, and brings the deepest forest to life. It takes you to different societies of Amazon aboriginal people. This is a wonderful read – I hated to see it end.<br><br>
On to short story collections. High on my list is <b>Unaccustomed Earth</b> by Jhumpa Lahiri. What a great book. Eight short stories focusing on Bengali parents living in America. I found myself disappointed to reach the end of each of these stories because I was so absorbed in the characters’ lives and I wanted to know more. (BTW, these days I only read books available on my Kindle, so I’m hoping Amazon will make Lahiri’s other collections available electronically).<br><br>
For fiction, the gentle, funny <b>Breakfast with Buddha; A Novel</b> (Roland Merullo) was another book I lingered over, regretting that each page turn moved me closer to the end. The story of an unlikely executive moving to self-discovery is not the kind of book that would ordinarily attract me, but the writing was superb and the story engaging. I’d reread this one, a rare compliment.<br><br>
So there you go. Now it’s your turn – what are your favorite books? I’m always looking for recommendations!<br><br><br>